Cowboys finally release statement on Ratliff’s DWI arrest

The Dallas Cowboys on Monday finally broke their silence on the subject of Jay Ratliff’s arrest for driving while intoxicated, an embarrassing incident for the club considering it came less than two months after a DWI-related wreck cost practice squad player Jerry Brown his life.

Ratliff, a veteran nose tackle, was arrested Jan. 22 in Grapevine after his 2011
Ford pickup truck clipped a semitrailer truck. Six days later, the club released a statement authored by Calvin Hill, a former player from the Tom Landry era who is now a consultant for the team’s player development program.

“Having recently experienced the most tragic of circumstances regarding this issue, we, as an organization, understand the ultimate consequences of driving while impaired,” the statement read. “We know that one incident is too many.”

Brown died Dec. 8 in a one-car accident that resulted in Cowboys backup nose tackle Josh Brent being charged with intoxication manslaughter. That fiery wreck occurred on the same road where police arrested Ratliff: State Highway 114.

Ratliff’s blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit the night of his arrest, Grapevine police said Monday, via the Associated Press.

Police said Ratliff failed a field sobriety test. He refused a breath test, but police obtained a warrant for a blood sample, which they say produced a blood-alcohol level of 0.16.

Brent’s blood-alcohol level at the time of his arrest was 0.18, police said.

Hill’s statement indicated the Cowboys would continue to attempt to prevent DWI arrests among its player through education.

“The critical goal is to effect the decision-making process in the hours before the wrong decision is made,” the statement read.

“Our player assistant programs in the areas of preventing incidents such as these are at the highest level in professional sports, but we are always looking to do better and for ways to improve. We will continue to draw upon the best expertise and resources available, both internally and from outside the organization, to work toward being the best in the areas of education, prevention, and effecting the right decisions.”

The Cowboys have talked to Ratliff since the arrest, according to the statement.

“We will monitor the legal process and work within the NFL guidelines for player behavior moving forward,” the statement read.